Pennsylvania EQIP Options

Air Quality Initiative - Pennsylvania receives additional EQIP funds to help producers reduce PM 2.5 and ozone precursor emissions, in counties designated by EPA as not currently meeting national air quality standards for these two greenhouse gas pollutants.

Beginning Farmer - Producers who have operated a farm for less than ten years may qualify as Beginning Farmers in a fund pool option which only Beginning Farmers can be considered.

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP)/Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) - Financial assistance is available for developing a CNMP or Nutrient Management Plan. A CNMP is required for a producer to receive NRCS funding for an animal waste storage, treatment or handling practice.

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) - Conservation grants for organizations or individuals designed to stimulate the development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a likelihood of success and to be candidates for eventual technology transfer.

Historically Underserved Producers - EQIP has special funding set-asides specifically for Beginning Farmers and for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers. Farmers in these groups plus those qualifying as Limited Resource Farmers also qualify for higher payment rates.

National Water Quality Incentive (NWQI)- the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers financial and technical assistance to farmers and forest landowners interested in improving water quality and aquatic habitats in priority watersheds with impaired streams.

On-Farm Energy Conservation - NRCS can provide funding for energy audits to assess the energy consumption from your cooling/heating system, milking/feeding equipment lighting, pumps and machines located in the production buildings of any agricultural operation. The information is analyzed to provide recommendations for cost-effective improvements that will reduce energy consumption. Farmers with approved energy audits can apply for funding to implement energy conserving practices.

Organic Farming - for operations that are either Certified Organic or are Transitioning to Organic Production.

Socially Disadvantaged Farmers - EQIP has special funding set-asides specifically for Producers in groups that have historically been subject to racial or ethnic prejudice. These groups are American Indians or Alaskan Natives, Asians, Blacks or African Americans, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics.

Stream Corridor Management - Funding for practices to in and along stream corridors, including stream fencing; buffers; streambank erosion control, and fish habitat.